BIOGRAPHY: James K. McCLURE, Juniata Co., PA
Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Mike W*illiamson
Transcribed by Patty F*rank
Copyright 2006. All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/juniata/
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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley,
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry,
Pennsylvania. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume II,
pages 865-866.
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JAMES K. McCLURE, Honey Grove, Juniata county, Pa., was born in
Tuscarora township, Juniata county, Pa., August 29, 1830, son of
Thomas and Margaret (Kirk) McClure. Thomas McClure was born in
Tuscarora township, and received a common school education. He owned
250 acres of land in Tuscarora township, which he cleared and
cultivated. Orchards were planted, and the first building, which were
of round logs, gave place to a fine frame dwelling house and a bank
barn. Mr. McClure took an active part in the work of the church. He
had the respect and esteem of all who knew him. He was an old school
Democrat. Mr. McClure was married to Margaret, daughter of William
Kirk, a farmer and shoemaker of Lack township. Their children are:
William, of Tuscarora township; Margaret, (Mrs. John Seibert), of
Illinois; James K.; Alexander, on the homestead; Thomas H., deceased;
Samuel, a traveling salesman; John deceased; Rebecca (Mrs. John
Barton), of Illinois, deceased; Mary S. (Mrs. David Barton),
deceased; and Jesse, of Tuscarora township, Mr. McClure died in 1862;
his wife died on the homestead in 1887. Mr. McClure was a member of
the Methodist church. He served as a trustee, a class-leader and
steward; he was also a teacher in the Sabbath-school and its
superintendent.
James K. McClure attended school in his native township in a log
school house with slab seats; his teachers were William Coan and
Joseph Stewart. He remained on the homestead farm until he was
twenty-five years of age, when he began farming in Beale township.
After one year he removed to the farm, which he bought and upon which
he resides at the present time. He built a large dwelling house and
barn, and made other improvements. He is a successful stock raiser.
Mr. McClure has been actively engaged in the business of agriculture
for nearly fifty years; he is one of the progressive farmers of the
township. He enjoys the confidence and respect of the community. He
takes an interest in the educational work of the township; and has
served three years as a member of the board of school directors. He
has also held the office of supervisor and overseer of the poor.
He is a Democrat. In 1862, Mr. McClure enlisted in Company I,
Eighteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was on guard duty six months
in Harrisburg, when he became ill, and was granted a furlough; he was
afterwards mustered out on account of disability. He receives no
pension. James K. McClure married in 1858, to Ellen, born in Perry
county, daughter of William Ewing, a farmer of Beale township,
Juniata county. Their children are: Lowery, of Blairs Mills,
Huntingdon county, Pa.; Jennie (Mrs. Mack Eaton), of Franklin county,
Pa.; Thomas H., of Tuscarora township; Howard at home; Sarah (Mrs.
David Clark), of Tuscarora township; Minnie (Mrs. Howard Clark), of
Lack township; Bowden, married and at home; and Ettie (Mrs. Jesse
Water), of Blairs Mills. Mr. McClure is a member of the church at
Honey Grove. He has been a class leader for a number of years; is a
trustee and member of the building committee, and superintendent of
the Sabbath-school.